Toxic Positivity in Motherhood: How to Practice Real, Grounded Gratitude

What to Do When Rage Hits in Motherhood: A Gentle, Therapist-Led Framework

Do you ever feel like you can’t get through a day of motherhood without snapping, yelling, or feeling completely out of control inside your body? Do you find yourself sacrificing your sense of calm, safety, or even self-recognition just to make it through the endless crying, touching, noise, and demands? What if instead of believing something is wrong with you, you could understand exactly why rage is showing up, and know what to do when it does? It’s possible. And it’s not because you need more self-control, patience, or willpower. In this episode, I’m going to walk you through what postpartum rage actually is, why it’s so common (even though no one talks about it), and how to respond in a way that reduces shame and helps your nervous system settle, rather than explode. If you’re like most mothers in early motherhood, you want to feel calm, connected, and loving… but instead you feel depleted, overstimulated, and terrified by the intensity of your anger. In today’s episode, I share: * Why postpartum rage is a nervous system survival response, not a personal failure * What your anger is actually trying to tell you * A gentle, therapist-led framework you can use in the moment when rage hits * How to repair after snapping at your baby or partner, without drowning in guilt * What may be underneath the rage, including unmet needs, perfectionism, and burnout This is not about suppressing your anger. It’s about learning how to listen to it safely. Whether your rage shows up during sleep deprivation, overstimulation, or moments that scare you afterward. Whether you feel ashamed, confused, or afraid of your own reactions You can learn to work with your nervous system instead of fighting it, and begin responding to anger with clarity, compassion, and support. This episode will help you feel less alone, less broken, and more equipped the next time rage rises. With so much gentleness, Dina   Loved this episode?! Let’s keep the conversation going 💛 * Come say hi on Instagram: @herewithyoumama * Share this episode with a mama who needs to hear she’s not alone * Leave a review so more mothers can find this support You don’t have to carry this by yourself. I’m here with you. Transcript for this episode [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YoUF1tpJl5ZyYzaDrPBYtSeZLL-fhDw2SmtpGhlmsVo/edit?usp=sharing]   Blog post for this episode [http://herewithyoumama.com/blog]

Decision Fatigue in Motherhood: How to Stop Second-Guessing Yourself and Trust Your Instincts Again

Do you feel like you can’t make even the smallest parenting decision without spiraling or needing reassurance? Are you constantly researching, polling friends, Googling, or replaying decisions long after they’re made, just to make sure you didn’t get it “wrong”? What if instead, you could make decisions calmly, confidently, and trust yourself again… even in the messy, high-stakes moments of motherhood? It’s possible. And no, you don’t need to become a different version of yourself to get there. In today’s episode, I’m sharing what’s actually happening inside your nervous system when decision fatigue takes over, and how to gently come back to your own inner wisdom. If you’re like most new or early-stage moms, you deeply want to do right by your baby… but you’re exhausted by the constant second guessing, overthinking, and mental load that comes with motherhood. In this episode, I walk you through: * Why decision fatigue after baby feels so intense * How anxious and perfectionist “parts” show up to protect you * A simple Internal Family Systems–informed framework you can use in real time * Practical tools to help you make decisions from calm instead of fear You’ll also hear real examples of common spirals (sleep, feeding, milestones), and how to move through them without losing yourself. Whether you feel paralyzed by small decisions, overwhelmed by conflicting advice, or disconnected from the confident woman you used to be… You can rebuild self-trust in motherhood and learn to make decisions without the exhausting spiral. This episode will help you understand that you’re not broken, you’re responding exactly as a deeply loving, protective mother would… and show you how to come back to yourself. Let’s do this. Dina   Loved this episode? Let’s keep the conversation going 💛 * Join the Here With You, Mama community • Say hi over on Instagram @herewithyoumama [http://instagram.com/herewithyoumama] • Learn more about working together inside Here With You, Mama • Share this episode with a mama who’s stuck in the decision spiral • Leave a review, it helps more moms find support I’m here with you. Always. Transcript for this episode [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KovDr-9yy1wMlYP5qe7SaTvT8O9prz99H8z82bn6rmo/edit?usp=sharing] Blog post for this episode [http://herewithyoumama.com/blog]

New Year, New Mom? A New Way to Thrive in Early Motherhood

If the New Year has you feeling exhausted, behind, and overwhelmed instead of motivated, this episode is for you. In this episode, Dina (trauma therapist and maternal mental health specialist), speaks directly to new moms navigating early motherhood, postpartum overwhelm, and the intense New Year pressure that often hits after having a baby. Instead of “New Year, New Me,” this conversation offers a gentler, research-informed approach centered on support, presence, and thriving, not perfection or productivity. In This Episode, We Talk About: * Why early motherhood is an identity shift, not a motivation problem * How New Year pressure fuels postpartum overwhelm and burnout * The difference between surviving motherhood and thriving in it * Why traditional resolutions don’t work for new moms * What “good enough motherhood” really means * How emotional support helps moms feel present, grounded, and connected * Why support, not willpower, is the key to enjoying early motherhood You Don’t Need a New You, You Need Support Thriving in motherhood isn’t about becoming someone different. It’s about learning how to navigate this transition with tools that work with your nervous system, not against it. Dina shares how mothers move from overwhelmed and disconnected to grounded, present, and able to genuinely enjoy their babies, through small, realistic practices and emotional support that fits real life. Enrollment Is Now Open: Here With You, Mama Dina also announces that enrollment is open for the Here With You, Mama Course, an eight-week support program designed to help new moms: * Move from surviving to thriving * Reduce postpartum overwhelm and anxiety * Build emotional connection with their baby * Feel confident, grounded, and supported * Stop doing motherhood alone 👉 Learn more at postpartumworkshops.com Follow for more support: instagram.com/herewithyoumama   Transcript for this episode [https://docs.google.com/document/d/13pLctFXSsAJTRHM22TJN-CLXtk4vpPgO8UHDBzwts5Q/edit?usp=sharing]   Blog post for this episode [http://herewithyoumama.com/blog]

How to Reduce Holiday Stress as a Mom: Realistic Tips for Presence and Joy

If your December already feels like a never-ending to-do list: cookie recipes, gift lists, holiday photos, school parties, Elf on the Shelf ideas… you are not alone, love. In this episode, we’re talking about the invisible holiday mental load that so many moms carry: the pressure to make everything magical, memorable, and “perfect”… even if it leaves you exhausted and snappy with the very people you’re doing it all for. Together, we’ll slow down, take a breath, and get really honest about why the holidays feel so overwhelming for moms, and what you can do differently this year. I’ll walk you through a simple, practical process to sort through your holiday tasks, set realistic boundaries, share the load with your partner, and choose what actually matters for you and your family. Instead of waking up on January 3rd feeling like you missed the whole season because you were too busy managing it, my hope is that you’ll remember laughter, connection, and moments you were truly present for, with your kids, and with yourself. In today’s episode, we talk about: * Holiday overwhelm for moms and why December hits so differently when you’re carrying the mental load for everyone * The invisible load of motherhood during the holidays (and why you feel it the moment the Christmas decor hits Target) * Holiday mental load for moms: all the unseen planning, tracking, remembering, and managing that no one else notices * How perfectionism in motherhood shows up in December: Pinterest cookies, matching pajamas, elaborate elf setups… and quietly drains your joy * Mom guilt during the holidays and why “I should be grateful” isn’t the whole story * The difference between real gratitude and toxic positivity when you’re overwhelmed * Why the holidays feel so overwhelming as a mom, especially for high-achieving, do-it-all women * How to create holiday memories without burning out or resenting all the work behind them * A grounding exercise to picture yourself on January 3rd and decide what you actually want to remember about this season * A simple, compassionate way to reduce the mental load during the holidays—without giving up what matters most Practical tools you’ll hear in this episode: * A 5-category list exercise to go through every holiday task and sort it into: * Things that genuinely bring you joy * Things that genuinely bring your kids joy * Things you’re doing out of obligation or expectation * Things that could be simplified or delegated * Things that could be eliminated entirely * How to simplify Christmas as a busy mom * What it looks like to choose three core holiday activities that truly matter to your family, and let the rest be optional * How to set holiday boundaries with family and friends without over-explaining or drowning in guilt * A script you can use to say: “That sounds lovely, but we can’t make it work this year.” * How to have an honest holiday division-of-labor conversation with your partner, including the mental load, not just the physical tasks * Examples of holiday tasks moms can let go of and what you can do instead * How to ask, in real time: * “Is this adding to our joy or stealing from it?” * “Is this creating the memories I want… or creating stress that will overshadow everything else?” * How to be more present with your kids during the holidays, even if your schedule is still full * Why calm and connection might be the greatest gifts you can give your family this year Gentle reminders from this episode: * You are not responsible for single-handedly creating Christmas magic for everyone in your life. * Your kids don’t need a perfect holiday; they need a present, emotionally available mom. * Good enough truly can be more than enough: for you, for them, and for the memories you’re building. * Letting go of some tasks isn’t failure; it’s honoring your capacity and modeling healthy limits for your children. Take a deep breath, mama. You don’t have to earn the holidays by doing it all. You’re already making them magical, simply by being you.   Connect with me on Instagram: @herewithyoumama [http://instagram.com/herewithyoumama] Transcript for this episode [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tjn1IEvIG1vITIqYSuqXDHrTq4TPXJSu5RRRlcumTHc/edit?usp=sharing] Blog post for this episode [http://herewithyoumama.com/blog]

Toxic Positivity in Motherhood: How to Practice Real, Grounded Gratitude

Hi, love. As we head into Thanksgiving week, I want to talk about a motherhood truth that so many of us carry but rarely say out loud: the pressure to “just be grateful.” You know the moments. You’re running on no sleep. You’re touched out. Your toddler is melting down over the color of their cup. And someone says, “But you’re so blessed. You should be grateful.” Or worse: you say it to yourself. Today, we’re unpacking the difference between real, grounded gratitude and the toxic positivity that so often masquerades as gratitude in motherhood. Because gratitude is powerful… but only when it’s rooted in truth, not shame. Inside the episode, we explore what healthy gratitude actually looks like, why forced positivity doesn’t work, and how to hold the both and that every mother deserves to experience:  “I’m overwhelmed… and I’m grateful.” “This is so hard… and I love my children fiercely.” You’ll learn how to stop gaslighting yourself, how to validate your own feelings without guilt, and how to build a gratitude practice that nourishes your emotional wellbeing instead of bypassing your reality. This one is tender, honest, and deeply needed for the mamas who feel pressure to be thankful even when life feels heavy. What You’ll Hear in This Episode 1. What toxic positivity looks like in motherhood Why moms are taught to hide their frustration and how “just be grateful” becomes emotional silencing. 2. The truth about real gratitude How genuine gratitude is born after acknowledging what’s hard, not instead of it. 3. The “burnt toast” metaphor A simple way to understand why dismissing your hard feelings doesn’t make you more grateful, it makes you feel unseen. 4. The magic of both-and thinking How to hold two truths at once, even when they seem contradictory. 5. Signs you’re performing gratitude instead of feeling it Including the subtle ways you may be gaslighting yourself. 6. Practical tools for grounded gratitude Micro-moments, honest reflection, safe spaces, and practices to actually support your emotional capacity. 7. How to navigate gratitude during the holidays Especially when family dynamics, exhaustion, or stress make the season feel heavier than you expected. Takeaways for the Week * You can be grateful and struggling at the same time. * Your frustration never cancels out your love. * Gratitude is strongest when it’s built on honesty. * You don’t have to bypass your feelings to be a “good mom.” * You’re allowed to tell the whole truth of your motherhood experience, especially during the holidays.   🎧 Listen to Episode 25: Toxic Positivity in Motherhood 💛 Save this for the days you feel like you “should” be grateful 💬 Message me with your questions or reflections. I love hearing from you, mama Transcript for today’s episode [https://docs.google.com/document/d/13A4FPAfDoLaYmiqmPMWZr5ypSNmN3l4Y0yjFRnGoHA0/edit?usp=sharing] Blog post for today’s episode [http://herewithyoumama.com/blog]